NEW DELHI: Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has thrown his full support behind the BCCI’s move to make domestic cricket mandatory for all players, though he cautioned that a balanced schedule is essential to avoid overworking them.
Now serving as one of the four event ambassadors for the ongoing Champions Trophy in Dubai, Dhawan was present at the match where India edged past Pakistan by six wickets to secure a spot in the semifinals. He even visited the Indian dressing room following the victory.
During a media interaction on the sidelines, Dhawan was asked about the decision requiring players to participate in Ranji Trophy matches whenever possible. He responded, “It’s a very good decision. My only thing is that players should not be overloaded, that’s all. But people will monitor that.”
He highlighted the positive impact of domestic cricket by recalling how Virat Kohli’s recent stint for Delhi drew a packed stadium, while also stressing the importance of ensuring players get enough rest.
The directive from the BCCI came on the back of India’s challenging Test tour of Australia, where a 1-3 series defeat led to the loss of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade.
Following the new mandate, prominent players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Yashasvi Jaiswal have each appeared in at least one state-level match ahead of the Champions Trophy.
Dhawan also lauded Rohit Sharma for his energy, noting that even though he was dismissed for 20 against Pakistan, his positive spirit energised his teammates.
Reflecting on his own career — which spanned from 2013 until his retirement last year after playing 34 Tests, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20 Internationals while amassing over 10,000 runs — Dhawan stated he doesn’t miss the rigors of on-field action, expressing contentment with his journey and gratitude for his long career.
When asked about the competitive nature of India-Pakistan contests, he remarked that while Pakistan once dominated, India now tends to take control. He also expressed confidence in Shubman Gill’s future, predicting that the current vice-captain is destined to become captain someday.
